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DCPusername

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  1. I was not a fan of The Cadets this season. I was disappointed in the staff, frustrated for the members, and scared for the activity. I watched them tonight and FINALLY became a fan again. I'm glad to stand corrected. They came late to the party, but at least they're here.

    But the designers should still be flogged for not having a much better process. "Trust the process," George says. I'll trust it when you have one. If there were actually a trustworthy process they would've employed it far sooner. What we saw this season was trial and error, not the execution of a well crafted plan. Performers and audiences alike deserve better than to watch you try to decide what a show is going to be. 

    The members should be proud of themselves. They persevered through a poorly planned season and still fought to be genuine in a risky context. The show will be fine in the end.  But the designers should be ashamed for squandering so many performance opportunities by being unprepared. I'm honestly shocked that the team that couldn't decide what to do for months and months came up with anything as cohesive as last night's production. Perhaps it was Michael Lentz, maybe there was a last minute epiphany, or sometimes that blind squirrel just finds a nut.

    The faithful were rewarded. The fallen were pardoned. But I can't bring myself to forgive the sins of those who should've done better. Anyway, I'm glad the fans and members got what they want in the end.

    Thus ends this sermon. Go in peace. 

    • Like 1
  2. First time since 1979 The Cadets didn't win a single show. Also, Cadets may break the record for longest show title announcement ever!

    Possibly the highest brass caption score for blue stars ever. 

    Highest placement ever for Mandarins, even if it's not in finals. 

    Possibly the highest placement and/or score for an open class corps. (Recognizing the accomplishments of Magic 2002, of course. But that was definitely an exception. Also, they were Div. II)

    Surely this will be the most speakers and microphones in finals ever. 

    • Like 3
  3. 23 minutes ago, HbRJgdZHsbc said:

    I generally agree with this sentiment.  But is it poor design or poor process?  Seems like 90's all the way to 2015 things were great out of the gate.  Then they either won because they got it right the first time, or they shot themselves in the foot scrambling to throw everything and the kitchen sink into the program the last 2 weeks.  Jeff, Jay, Colin/Tom, etc. were all great designers for the team . . . when they were allowed to do their jobs.  I think we can all see things that George threw in as a last ditch effort.  The tarps in 2014, the tarps this year, the tarps in 1999, the tarps in 2011 (that one worked), the uniform change in 2015, the fire trucks in 2002.  

    This year it's all about how many crosses can exist in 13 minutes.  Abandon the meaningful concept and give them icons of the concept.  WAIT!  Did I just accidentally make the case for how the reckless process that usually hampers the end of the season is somehow emblematic of Bernstein's struggle with authenticity in religion?  Is there still time to change the program notes they send the judges?

    Aaaaand ... the hair has been split. But it does have a ring of truth to it. Carry on. 

    • Like 1
  4. 28 minutes ago, jsd said:

    I get what they are trying to do, but the activity has changed and they have failed to keep up from a design/concept standpoint.

    I've always thought of the Cadets as being "that corps" who could do the things you didn't think mere mortals can do. The design has always been good enough, but the members (and therefore instructors) were the amazing part of the equation. 

    Last year and now this year, they just aren't good at being good. The Cadets have been about virtuosity for decades, even when the shows weren't amazing. That challenge is about hiring master teachers and experienced educators. Instruction causes learning, not design.

    I'd love nothing more than to see the Cadets back on top of the activity, but you can't play in that tier where the design is the variable unless you can build the best performers in DCI.

     

    • Like 2
  5. no they aren't...

    Down 1.425 and in 3rd with 3 weeks to go is not insurmountable.

    In 2011, Cavies won the MN & TX regionals. Cadets were 4th in MN, 3rd in TX, 2nd in GA, 2nd in PA, and finally ended up in 1st on the LAST show of the season in NY.

    In 1996, Phantom was in 4th in Quarter-Finals down 3.7 points. They got 3rd in Semis and jumped to 1st (tie) at Finals.

    Go back a little further to 1991 - Star couldn't beat Cavies in the month of June. Cavies couldn't beat Star in the month of July. Cavies didn't beat Star in August until Semi-Finals. Star went 1st, 2nd, 3rd over finals week. Earlier that summer, Cavies had also lost to BD (finished 4th) and Phantom (finished 8th).

    Finally, google some good old Velvet Knights shows - Things aren't over until the fat lady sings (and gets eaten by a shark).

    • Like 2
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